Long viewed through the lens of civil war and famine, Ethiopia is a rapidly growing country with an interesting culture and the changing view is letting tourists see anew its fascinating history, its African record of 10 World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) and people. A vacation here is a great complement to a bucket-list African safari in Kenya. A combined twelve nights, these two countries offer the best of an African vacation.
Tour Details
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WhenOffered Year Round
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InclusionsHistoric site and park entrance fees, english speaking guides, minivan, 4X4 shared vehicle with guaranteed window seat for wildlife viewing, all accommodations and meals as specified
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Meeting PlaceWe will pick you up upon your arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
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TransportationMinivan, and domestic flight in Ethiopia
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AccomodationComfort to premier class hotels and lodges
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PriceFrom $3,592 to $3,945 Per person, double occupancy. Based on wildlife season. Price Not included domestic & enter-countries International flight.
Tour Itinerary
Addis Ababa
On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to Harmony Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day we visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974. We also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis. In the evening, enjoy a “well come dinner” where we will taste various national dishes, watch dances of various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. A traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.
Harmony Hotel (L,D)
Bahir Dar
Board your early morning flight to Bahir Dar and drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'.Even though much of the water has been diverted to power local hydroelectric generators, the Falls is still an intriguing sight. The surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and teff, the prime ingredient for making injera, the national bread and increasingly popular, gluten-free super-food you may have heard of back in the United States. After lunch board a cruise vessel on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible monasteries; Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. Your hotel is located on the shores of Lake Tana.
Kuriftu Resort (B, L, D)
Gondar, the Camelot of Africa
On our drive (180km) to this ancient Imperial city, we travel through a fertile landscape of wide open fields of a typical African tableau and then undulating farmland. The town was once the capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilides, who built a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five emperors built their own respective palaces. Referred to as the Camelot of Africa, we visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Nearby is the Debre Birhan Selassie church with its sensational angelic ceiling and the bathhouse of Fasil where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate the Timkat festival every January.
Goha Hotel (B,L,D)
Lalibela
Morning flight and then a full day of sightseeing in Lalibela, designated a Unesco World eritage Site in 1978. King Lalibela commissioned the construction of the 11 rock churches in the center of town to fulfill his dream of a New Jerusalem. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
Mountain View Hotel (B,L,D)
Lalibela
Today we will visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction is renowned for its interior decoration, it’s beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Mountain View Hotel.(B,L,D)
Axum, historical and archaeological wonders
Morning flight to Axum. The city is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include: monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. We visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia.
Consular Hotel (B,L,D)
Addis Ababa, and departure to Nairobi
In the morning transfer to the Airport and fly back to Addis and continue to the Merkato Outdoor Market. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to fly to Nairobi upon arrival into Nairobi, clients will be met and transferred the Intercontinental hotel.
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel in a standard room on a bed and breakfast basis.
Nairobi - Samburu Game Reserve
Leave Nairobi after an early breakfast for Samburu. Heading north, you pass near Thika and continue north through some breathtaking scenery dotted with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee. After Nanyuki town, continue north, eventually reaching a dusty outpost known as Isiolo, the last major stop on the journey into the remote northern frontier district. From here it's a fairly short hop to Samburu. Arrival at the lodge in time for lunch and then depart for an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Samburu Game Lodge on a full board basis.
Samburu Lodge is set in a rugged landscape with a backdrop of jagged mountains and its own indigenous animals, unique to the region. The landscape, wildlife and vegetation are very different to the lush, rolling grasslands of other national parks. Here you will find thorn-bush, open plains and vast horizons, where one may taste the romance of this desert terrain.
Samburu Game Reserve
Early morning game drive is followed by breakfast, and time to relax by the lodge pool or the terrace overlooking the river. After lunch there will be another game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Samburu Game Lodge on a full board basis
Samburu Game Reserve - Aberdares
Leave after breakfast and drive south and into the forests of the Aberdare Mountain range arriving at Outspan for lunch and then afternoon transfer to Treetops. This is a tree lodge set in a forest glade with a waterhole that attracts all sorts of wildlife during the day and night. The waterhole is floodlit and there is an underground viewing platform.
Overnight at Treetops on a full board basis.
Treetops is Kenya’s original tree lodge, legendary for its historical royal connection, for the animals it attracts and for the sheer joy of exploring a tree house visited by rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, bushbuck, waterbuck and many other species. Guests generally depart the Outspan after lunch for the ten-mile drive to Treetops
Aberdares - Lake Nakuru
An early morning start first takes you north‑west heading towards Nyahururu followed by travel in a southerly direction to your next destination, the spectacular Lake Nakuru. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingoes. It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.
Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge on a full board basis.
Lake Nakuru Lodge is situated in the heart of one of Kenya's most densely populated wetland National Parks, (Ramsar site) only two leisurely hours' drive from Nairobi, through beautiful forested uplands and passing a series of lakes. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park - and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is over 50 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschild giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion
Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara Game Reserve
After an early morning breakfast, drive to Narok town via Mai-Mahiu with a brief a rest stop and proceed on to Mara arriving in time for lunch at the Lodge. After lunch, depart for an afternoon game drive returning back to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Keekorok Lodge on a full board basis.
Keekorok Lodge was opened in 1965 and lies at the southern end of Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 280 kilometres from Nairobi. It is sited in the direct path of the annual migration and was the first lodge to be built in the Mara. At the height of the migration, Keekorok is surrounded by a swarming mass of animals and there is hardly need to go on a game drive
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Early morning and afternoon game drives. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari)
Overnight at Keekorok Lodge on a full board basis
Masai Mara Game Reserve - Nairobi
After breakfast depart the Masai Mara and head across acres of rolling wheat and barley farms to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. From here cross the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley whilst keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle before heading up the rift escarpment. Arrive Nairobi and be transferred to the international airport. Late this afternoon board your flight to Addis Ababa for a convenient connection on an overnight flight to Washington D.C. and many of the major European cities
